He broke off. Karl the spy had flown into a rage and was storming at his chauffeur; and Paul heard him shout:
"You damned ass! You're always doing it! No petrol. . . . Where do you think we shall find petrol in the middle of the night? There's some in the garage, is there? Then run and fetch it, you fat-head! . . . And where's my fur-coat? You've forgotten it? Go and get it at once. I shall drive the car myself. I've no use for fools like you! . . ."
The soldier started running. And Paul at once observed that he himself would be able to reach the garage, of which he saw the lights, without having to leave the protecting darkness.
"Come," he said to Bernard. "I have an idea: you'll see what it is."
With the sound of their footsteps deadened by a grassy lawn, they made for that part of the out-houses containing the stables and motor-sheds, which they were able to enter unseen by those without. The soldier was in a back-room, the door of which was open. From their hiding-place they saw him take from a peg a great goat-skin coat, which he threw over his shoulder, and lay hold of four tins of petrol. Thus laden, he left the back-room and passed in front of Paul and Bernard.
The trick was soon done. Before he had time to cry out, he was knocked down, rendered motionless and gagged.
"That's that," said Paul. "Now give me his great-coat and his cap. I would rather have avoided this disguise; but, if you want to be sure of a thing, you mustn't stick at the means."
"Then you're going to risk it?" asked Bernard. "Suppose Karl doesn't recognize his chauffeur?"
"He won't even think of looking at him."
"But if he speaks to you?"